HC Deb 27 February 1919 vol 112 cc1922-3
4. Lieutenant-Colonel GUINNESS

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information as to the fate of the inhabitants of Shankursk and of other territory recently evacuated by British troops on the Archangel front?

Mr. HARMSWORTH

It has been reported that the town of Shankursk was pillaged and burnt by the Bolsheviks after evacuation by the Allies and Russian troops, and that many inhabitants of that town and of the territory similarly evacuated have been massacred by the Bolsheviks. Further information has been asked for.

Lieutenant-Colonel GUINNESS

Is it not the case that in all previous cases of retirement the Russian population associated with the British troops have invariably been massacred?

Mr. HARMSWORTH

I should not like to answer that off hand.

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